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Payson, Arizona – Gila County Attorney Bradley D. Beauchamp announced that on August 7, 2015, the Honorable Gary V. Scales sentenced 73-year-old Michael Voden to 17 years in prison for killing his neighbor. On May 29, 2015, following a six day trial, a jury convicted Voden of Manslaughter.
According to Chief Deputy Shawn C. Fuller, who prosecuted the case, evidence presented at trial established that on November 9, 2013, at approximately 7:30 am, Voden called 9-1-1 to report some “people and their dog” in his yard and that the dog was “messing up” his gardens. Shortly thereafter, Voden went outside and confronted the male victim prior to shooting him four times. His neighbors, who had just moved into the house next door the previous day, entered Voden’s yard in order to retrieve their wayward Coonhound, “Scooter.”
Voden claimed self-defense and initially claimed that the victim “jumped” on him and “attacked” him. When questioned further, however, Voden conceded that the victim did not physically assault him but rather “charged” him before he “put a shot in him.” The victim was shot four times – twice in the front of the torso and twice in the back.
In addition to being found guilty of Manslaughter, the court found that the offense was a dangerous offense and that Voden had caused emotional and financial harm to the victim’s widow.
County Attorney Beauchamp commended the Payson Police Department – especially Detective Matt Van Camp – for the hard work and dedication that went into the investigation of the case.
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